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Tuesday 10 January 2006

AM is Australia's most informative morning current affairs. It covers the stories each morning that the other current affairs teams follow for the rest of the day. Below is the program summary with links to transcripts and audio (if available).

Aust to send more troops to Afghanistan

For months now the pressure has been building in Afghanistan. Western troops have seen a resurgence in Taliban and al-Qaeda forces, and have come under heavy fire. More than 100 US soldiers have been killed there over the past 12 months. Now Australia is set to send more troops to Afghanistan to bolster the SAS forces already in place. The Defence Minister, Robert Hill, is expected to announce within days that around 100 more troops will be sent.

No plans for Iraq withdrawal: Downer

The Foreign Minister has used a brief visit to Washington to reassure the United States that Australia has no immediate plans to withdraw its troops from Iraq. Alexander Downer's meeting with US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, was hastily arranged after she cancelled a planned visit to Australia this week. Mr Downer says he's concerned about the surge in violence in Iraq, but repeats the Government line that Australia will only withdraw its troops when Iraqi security forces are able to maintain control of their country.

Cyclone Clare slams Pilbara coast

It's been a night of trepidation for locals in the towns of Dampier and Karratha on the Pilbara coast of Western Australia after tropical Cyclone Clare smashed into the coast. The storm is expected to remain a cyclone for the next couple of days as it moves inland.

Sharon a man of war, not peace: journalist

He's long been regarded as one of Israel's most successful soldiers, now Ariel Sharon looks like he's winning his toughest battle. After stopping massive bleeding in Mr Sharon's brain, doctors treating the ailing Israeli Prime Minister say he's started to breathe independently and has moved his hand and leg. While Mr Sharon's illness has seen world leaders pay tributes to him, one prominent Israeli argues Mr Sharon should be remembered as a man of war, not peace.

No sign of human-to-human bird flu in Turkey: WHO

On farms in the north, east and centre of Turkey, thousands of birds are being destroyed in an effort to stop bird flu spreading. Five new human cases of bird flu have been identified in several Turkish provinces, taking to 14 the number of people infected. While at least two Turkish children have died from the H5N1 strain, health experts say there's no sign the virus is passing from human-to-human. But that doesn't stop people worrying, and complaining that the Government has done too little, too late.

Treasury didn't want Gerard: Labor

Documents revealed today show that the businessman Robert Gerard was nominated for the Reserve Bank Board not by the Treasury but by the office of the Treasurer, Peter Costello. Mr Gerard resigned from the RBA late last year because of a controversy over his appointment relating to his company's long running dispute with the Tax Office. Labor's treasury spokesman, Wayne Swan, has told AM he believes it means Treasury did not want Mr Gerard appointed in the first place.

Calls for greater protection against sharks

The latest shark attack in Queensland has people in different states talking about how their beaches are signposted and protected. In New South Wales, which has some shark nets on Sydney beaches, there are calls for aerial patrols. In South Australia, Adelaide's beach goers rely solely on aerial patrols for protection against sharks. But now there are growing calls for the South Australian Government to do more to protect the public.

Govt applauds illegal fishing sentences

The Federal Government says it's pleased with the jail sentences handed down to 25 Indonesian fishermen who were operating illegally in Australian waters. The men were arrested four kilometres off the Kimberley coast, preparing to collect trochus shells. Each received at least six months jail. Another 50 Indonesian fishermen received similar terms of imprisonment just last week. The Federal Fisheries Minister, Ian Macdonald, told AM the sentences will send a strong message that Australia takes illegal fishing very seriously.

Tributes flow for motorbike rider Caldecott

Australian motorbike rally rider, Andy Caldecott, has died in a crash during the ninth stage of one of the world's most gruelling and dangerous races. The 41-year-old crashed 250-kilometres into Monday's 599-kilometre stage of the Dakar Rally in Mauritania in West Africa. Andy Caldecott is the 23rd competitor to die in the two-week cross-country race across Africa since the event started 28 years ago. Tributes have been pouring in from his team and from his hometown of Keith in South Australia.